Ancient Slavonic Chants

The liturgical chants in this recording—originally released by Monitor Records in 1994—come from the monastic tradition of medieval Bulgaria and are sung in Old Church Slavonic, the earliest recorded language of the Slavic peoples. The chants are performed a capella by the Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny (Ivan Koukouzel the Angel-Voiced) Ensemble, named after the renowned 14th-century Bulgarian composer. Two of his compositions are included in this album (tracks 6 and 7). The ensemble’s director, Tanya Christova, is a Bulgarian music scholar who has compiled early Slavic chants from throughout Bulgaria and transcribed them into modern notation. Brief liner notes provide background information on this singing tradition.

Track Listing

101	Dostoyno Yest (It Is Truly Meet) - Averkya Monach Rylets from the Liturgy	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	02:50
102	Kheruvimska Pesen (Cherubic Hymn) - Old Bulgarian Hymn from the Liturgy	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	05:51
103	Voskreseniya Den (The Day of the Resurrection) - Neophyte Riisky from Easter Matins	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	02:50
104	Tebe Poyem (We Praise Thee) - Old Bulgarian Chant from the Liturgy	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	02:30
105	Radouysya Vsechistaya (Rejoice, All Pure One)	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	07:52
106	Aniksantar	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	08:49
107	Vladikou E Sveshtenonachalnika (Our Master and High Priest Preserve, O Lord, for Many Years)	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	04:01
108	Te-Ri-Rem (Finale of "Polieley Na Bulgarkata") - Lament of the Bulgarian Woman	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	04:19
109	Dostoyno Yest (It Is Truly Meet) - From the Elena Region, notated by Bishop Nikolai	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	03:13
110	Angel Vopiyashe (The Angel Cried Out) - From the Elena region, notated by Dunovsky	Ivan Koukouzel Angeloglassny Ensemble	04:36